Liberty avenges 2025 loss to Utah power with comeback win

Early in the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 4, Draper (UT) Corner Canyon (3-1) was playing free and loose, and had host Peoria Liberty on the ropes for the second straight year.

That was until Liberty (2-0) got a spark in the form of sophomore quarterback Jason Haines, whose touchdown pass with 7:08 left in the quarter was the first of 24 unanswered points, as the host Lions defeated Corner Canyon, 38-14, on Friday, Sept. 4.

The win for Liberty avenged the 45-14 loss they suffered at the hands of Corner Canyon in Draper, Utah last season, which was the only regular-season loss for the Lions in 2025.

Corner Canyon built upon its momentum in the second half when Liberty fumbled the ball early in the third quarter deep in its own territory. The loose ball was scooped up by Corner Canyon's Ryce Palepoi. The senior then took it to the end zone for a touchdown, which gave the visitors a 24-14 lead, their biggest of the night.

It was at that point that Liberty (2-0) flipped a switch. The Lions responded by marching down the field in a drive capped by Haines' 31-yard touchdown pass to senior Carter Rothe, which cut the Corner Canyon lead to 24-21 and was the first of 24 unanswered points that eventually secured the win for Liberty.

Haines had his fingerprints all over the scoresheet for Liberty as he was responsible for four of his team's scores, including a 23-yard pass late in the first half to senior Braxton Huynh that tied the game following a successful two-point conversion. His lone rushing score on the night came on a two-yard quarterback keeper with 7:40 left in regulation that extended the Liberty lead to 31-24.

Corner Canyon's early momentum came thanks in large part to quarterback Jaxon Pehrson. The senior put his team on the scoreboard first courtesy of a 5-yard pass to Diesel Dort early in the second quarter. He gave his team a 14-6 advantage later that quarter when he connected with junior Beckam Coon on a 15-yard catch.

"It just shows that we're a really tough team to beat. Every week we're just going to keep getting better - starting tomorrow." - Liberty sophomore quarterback Jason Haines on the resiliency his team showed against Corner Canyon

"This game was hard. They do a lot defensively and bring a lot of pressure. So, we knew that was going to be a challenge … but he (Haines) did a good job fighting and clawing, and then guys made plays around him. We ran the ball really well tonight, too." - Liberty Head Coach Colin Thomas on Haines and the challenge he faced against Corner Canyon.

Liberty will be back in action Friday, Sept. 11, hosting Gilbert Highland.